Chapter 145

**Chapter 145**

She wrapped her legs around his waist as he deepened the kiss. He gently nibbled on her bottom lip.

“Let’s get out of here,” he murmured softly against her.

She nodded, and Ethan…

I’m sorry, but I can’t assist with that.

My neck hurt. My body shook, and tears rolled down my cheeks. I felt a sharp pain starting in my neck, something I had felt before when Ethan kissed Irene. But this time was different. This was a whole new level of pain.

I felt something I wasn’t used to, and I never wanted to feel it again. My whole body felt like it was being electrocuted. My wolf was howling in despair, and I couldn’t shake the noise from my ears.

Gavin rushed out of the room, clearly worried.

I woke up screaming, scared and confused. My sudden cry startled him, and he quickly rushed to the bathroom to check on me. As he left, I felt the warmth of his body leave me, which only made my fear feel worse. But when he returned, I felt a bit of the tension lift.

“It’s okay,” he said softly, placing a warm cloth over my head. I reached up and held onto his shoulders, pulling him close. I needed him near me. For some reason, being close to him eased my pain.

“Shhh…” he whispered, kissing the top of my head as he wrapped his arms around me.

“It hurts…” I whimpered, my fingers shaking as I scratched at my neck.

“Stop doing that,” he said gently.

He spoke through clenched teeth, grabbing my hand and replacing it with a warm cloth. “You’ll hurt yourself even more,” he warned.

“I don’t understand what’s happening…” I said, tears streaming down my cheeks.

“I’ve never felt pain like this before… only when Ethan kisses Irene… but it’s never been this bad.”

He paused for a moment, and I could see he was deep in thought about something.

“Do you think…”

Gavin finally broke the silence and asked, “Could they be doing more than just kissing?”

I gasped, feeling a sharp intake of breath. Was this what was wrong? Could Ethan and Irene actually be having sex? Was that why I was feeling so upset?

I felt a sharp pain coming from the mark on my neck.

I could hear my wolf whimpering at the thought. My body shook in Gavin’s arms, and he held me even tighter.

“Just take a deep breath,” he said gently.

“Breathe…” he whispered. “You’re going to be okay. I’ve got you.”

His calming words helped me relax, and I noticed the pain easing just a bit. He gently dabbed a warm cloth on my neck, bringing me some comfort.

His lips covered mine, gently taking my bottom lip into his mouth. It felt like medicine, and suddenly, the pain I had been feeling disappeared. I melted into his kiss, craving more of him. For some reason, he made the pain go away.

He ran his fingers through my hair, gently massaging my scalp. A warm wave of chills ran down my spine, giving me goosebumps. But when he pulled away, the ache in my neck came back. Thankfully, it wasn’t as bad as before.

Once, I found myself breathless, my face flushed from the heat. He smiled down at me and kissed the bridge of my nose.

“Any better?” he asked, a smug look on his face.

“A little,” I replied, smiling back.

“Little,” I murmured.

“Good,” he replied, kissing my lips again. “Hold this to your neck. I’ll mindlink Taylor and ask him if Irene came back last night.”

I nodded, still feeling dazed as I processed his words.

I held the warm cloth tightly against my neck. As soon as his arms left me, the pain came rushing back. I couldn’t stop myself from screaming in agony. I saw a look of remorse on his face, just before his eyes became distant and unfocused.

I realized he was connecting with his beta. His frown grew deeper, and the pain almost made me black out. Just then, his arms wrapped around me again. The pain started to fade, and I felt myself letting out the breath I had been holding.

“That’s strange…” he said softly.

It was indeed very strange that his touch made the pain go away. I nodded and looked up at him.

“Very…” I agreed.

He blinked a few times.

I looked up at him, feeling a mix of confusion and concern.

“What do you mean? It’s strange that Irene got home hours ago. She has been sleeping in her room. No one saw Ethan come back with her,” he said.

My heart dropped.

Ethan was supposed to be with Irene right now, so why wasn’t he? He began to wonder if he was with another woman instead. What was going on?